Vancouver store employee threatened twice during first day on the job

A 22-year-old female employee of a convenience store was threatened twice in two separate incidents during her first day on the job.

In a release this week, police said the first incident took place around 4:40 am, when a man walked into the store – in the 900 block of Granville Street – where the woman was working alone.

“He pulled out a hammer and threatened her with it,” police said.

Ultimately, “the suspect ran off but was located by police.” The suspect was found to be breaching a probation order and had two outstanding warrants. He was placed under arrest.

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Then, less than three hours later, a different suspect walked into the same convenience store and threatened the same employee, police said.

“The man told her he had a gun and demanded money,” said VPD in a release. “When the clerk could not open the register, the suspect ripped off the plexiglass divider, in place due to the pandemic, and jumped over the counter.”

At that point, “the victim ran to the bathroom to call police. Police arrived and arrested the suspect.” A firearm was not located.

“The employee of the store was, understandably, distraught,” police said. “She was offered assistance from the VPD’s victim services professionals.”